Ray Charles: Pure Genius: The Complete Atlantic Recordings (1952-1959) - Disc 07 of 08 CD Track Listing

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Ray Charles Pure Genius: The Complete Atlantic Recordings (1952-1959) - Disc 07 of 08 (2005)
Pure Genius: The Complete Atlantic Recordings (1952-1959) - Disc 07 of 08\n2005 Rhino Entertainment Company / Atlantic Recording Corp.\n\nOriginally Released September 20, 2005\n\nAMG EXPERT REVIEW: Ray Charles' seminal recordings for Atlantic have been boxed once before, as the triple-disc 1991 set The Birth of Soul. That box contained 53 tracks, the best moments of what is arguably the best period of Charles' career, but Rhino/Atlantic's 2005 seven-disc sequel, Pure Genius, doesn't bother with merely the highlights: as its subtitle makes clear, this is The Complete Atlantic Recordings (1952-1959). This is undeniably a major historical release, since it gathers all of the recordings Charles made at his creative peak, not just as a leader, but as a sideman for his saxophonist David "Fathead" Newman and sides he recorded with jazz vibraphonist Milt Jackson. Also, it's not limited to studio recordings -- live sessions, later issued on the LPs Ray Charles in Person and Ray Charles at Newport, are here too. Despite the abundance of music here, there's not much that hasn't seen the light of day before. It may not seem that way at first glance, since the seventh disc contains nothing but unreleased material, but the great majority of that is devoted to a full-length rehearsal session with producer Ahmet Ertegun from 1953 -- something that is interesting to hear once, since it does give some insights into Ertegun and Charles' working relationship and how Ray acted in the studio, but even then, it's not exactly revelatory. So, apart from that rehearsal, outtakes of "(Night Time Is) The Right Time" and "Tell Me How Do You Feel" and an excellent DVD of Ray live at Newport from 1960, Pure Genius is devoted to material that has been reissued extensively during the CD era -- which is another way of saying that most fans will have this music already. Still, presented here in chronological order according to recording sessions, it's hard not to marvel at Charles' development as an artist and be astonished by his range. That is what makes this set worthwhile as something more than a library piece -- listening to the first six discs from beginning to end reveals exactly how restless and creative Ray was during this period. Most listeners will be satisfied by more concise collections of this period -- and even those who truly love the hard R&B and soul of Charles' Atlantic hits will likely find The Birth of Soul a more satisfying box, since it is devoted to that sound, whereas the rest of the music here that's not on the 1991 box is largely devoted to jazz sides and live performances -- but any serious fan or historian of American music will find this set essential. (Nevertheless, they may find the packaging of the set somewhat infuriating: it's a clever, well-designed replica of an old-fashioned, all-in-one record player, with the hardcover book and eight discs stored inside. It's a nice package, but a bit impractical, particularly for those who just want the music.) -- Stephen Thomas Erlewine\n\nAmazon.com Editorial Review\nJamie Foxx's Oscar-winning turn as Ray Charles could only touch on the musical highlights of the American musical legend's career. But for those further intrigued by Charles' savory musical roots, this seven CD/one DVD anthology of Charles' epochal career at Atlantic Records (who purchased the fledgling star's contract from a small L.A. label for $2500) is the ultimate chronicle. While the singer's recorded output for the label was typically shuffled and jumbled across a series of contemporary albums and compilations, this set offers them up chronologically as originally recorded in NYC, New Orleans and elsewhere, a gambit that allows a clearer insight into the musician's artistic growth and burgeoning confidence as a performer in the bargain. Though focused on the `fervent r&b and soul sides he cut before crossing over into country and pop in the '60s, Charles' Atlantic tenure also includes insightful excursions into small jazz combo work that further underscored the range of his incomparable gifts. \n\nThe final CD in the set is a treasure trove of unreleased (mostly) solo performances that range from a lengthy 1953 rehearsal tape to a handful of hotel room-recorded arrangement demos for his 1959 Genius of Ray Charles collection. The set's DVD is another welcome bonus, containing the legend's complete performance at the 1960 Newport Jazz Festival (though he'd just left Atlantic, his repertoire and band for the show are rooted in the era), capped with the modern reminisces of Atlantic founder Ahmet Ertegun. Lavishly packaged in a box that replicates a '50's-era 45-player and featuring a hard-bound liner book that includes reprints of the original albums' liner notes, a comprehensive sessionography and an insightful new essay from noted r&b biographer David Ritz, the collection lives up to its billing at every level: Pure genius, indeed. --Jerry McCulley \n\nAmazon.com Album Description\nRay Charles is an American legend beyond compare. A ten-time Grammy-winning superstar who almost single-handedly laid the groundwork for soul music, Charles proved his mastery with countless jazz, country, R&B, and pop masterpieces as well. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame the first year they gave the honors ('86), and his extraordinary career spanned seven decades. His remarkable life was celebrated in the 2004 biopic Ray-featuring Jamie Foxx's Oscar-winning performance as the artist-and now Ray Charles' musical genius is spotlighted in this comprehensive box of his seminal Atlantic Records era, 1952-1959. As preeminent music writer David Ritz notes inside, "These are the historic years of his creative explosion, the time when he reinvented himself as a musical revolutionary. These records will live forever." \n\nAmazon.com Customer Review\n"Drown in His Own Soul", October 21, 2005 \nReviewer: Morgan Broman (Alexandria, VA United States)\nThis is the foundation of soul music: all of Ray Charles' finished masters from his 7 years at Atlantic Records. Listening to the sessions in order really gives you a sense of how Ray Charles grew as an artist and set the stage for Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding, Stevie Wonder, Wilson Pickett, etc. Ray starts as a great boogie piano artist - "Mess Around" is his finest early moment, but then, on track 18 of Disc 1, he explodes with "I've Got A Woman," the blueprint for his style and the "feel" of much of Atlantic's soul and R&B artists. It's a driving track that sounds as vibrant today as it did back then. \nRay Charles was a master of both jumping R&B ("What'd I Say") and soulful ballads ("Lonely Avenue,""Don't Let The Sun Catch You Crying") and nearly every cut is a polished jewel. Since this is a "Complete" release of Ray's Atlantic sides, it includes his jazz outings with David Newman and Milt Jackson. They are fine, but interrupt the flow of the soulful vocals. \nHis live work is well represented with a live set from 1958 and on the DVD with a rocking set at the 1960 Newport Jazz Festival. \nDisc 7 is an unreleased "rehearsal Session" with Ahmet Ertegun and shows what an amazing pianist Ray Charles was. I hope there is more of this "acoustic" Ray material in the vault that will get official release. It's like being a fly on the wall at a recording session and I compulsively played the session 3 times in a row when I first got to it. The sound quality is first-rate across all 8 discs - the brilliant Raylettes, Ray's backup singers, never sounded so good. \nI've docked the set one star because of the lack of any finished unreleased material from the Atlantic years. There have to be numerous unreleased numbers, instrumentals, and outtakes in the Atlantic vaults and the many Ray Charles fans anxiously await the next box set: "The Complete Unreleased Atlantic Recordings." \n\nAmazon.com Customer Review\nThe Title Says It All...., October 8, 2005 \nReviewer: Scott Middendorf (Cincinnati, OH)\nRay Charles was ahead of his time in a number of ways...this is most evident in this wonderful collection of his best works...Why some may argue that his early ABC-Dunhill recordings showed his versatility....these Atlantic recordings showcase an artist who was not afraid to experiment with what he was feeling inside...Though Ray's vocals are strong and vibrant, these Atlantic recordings also showcase that Ray was first and foremost a musician...the fact that he could utilize his vocals as an instrument only strengthens his title of genius..This is a must own collection...regardless of the price!!! \n\nHalf.com Details \nProducer: Ahmet Ertegun \n\nAlbum Notes\nPURE GENIUS comes packaged in a '50s-inspired record-player case and contains a bonus DVD featuring live concert footage and an exclusive interview with producer Ahmet Ertegun.\n\nPersonnel include: Ray Charles (vocals, piano); Edgar Blanchard, Mchouston "Mickey" Baker (guitar); August "Dimes" Dupont, O'Neil Gerald (alto saxophone); Sam "The Man" Taylor, Warren Hebrard, Joe Tillman (tenor saxophone); Dave McRea, Warren Bell (baritone saxophone); Frank Mitchell, Wallace Davenport, Jesse Drakes (trumpet); Lloyd Lambert, Lloyd Trotman, Frank Fields (bass guitar); Connie Kay, Alonzo Stewart, Oscar Moore (drums); Candido Camero (congas).\n\nAdditional personnel: Jesse Stone (vocals).\nLiner Note Authors: Ahmet Ertegun; David Ritz.\nRecording information: 1952 - 1959.\n\nA stunning seven-CD/one-DVD box set designed to look like a vintage 1950s record player, PURE GENIUS is aptly summed up by its full title--this mammoth collection features the complete '52-'59 Atlantic recording sessions of genre-defying legend Ray Charles. The first six discs encapsulate the Genius's groundbreaking Atlantic LPs, where Charles essentially invented soul music by tapping into unrestrained, gospel-inspired passion and channeling it into the secular sounds of jazz, R&B, and rock & roll. The seventh CD offers up an array of revealing outtakes, studio-dialogue snippets, and other tracks (most of which are previously unreleased), while the DVD presents Charles performing at the 1960 Newport Jazz Festival, as well as RAY biopic director Taylor Hackford interviewing Atlantic Records' Ahmet Ertegun, who was crucial in helping the beloved artist find his signature sound.\n\nIndustry Reviews\n5 out of 5 stars - ...[T]he real prize is the stunningly consistent level of outstanding work Charles created at Atlantic in the Fifties....\n
This misc cd contains 36 tracks and runs 79min 46sec.
Freedb: 0312b024
Buy: from Amazon.com

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